Zone 3 - Planting Calendar

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: January Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Microgreens: Start growing microgreens like arugula, mustard, and kale indoors.
  • Herbs: Begin sowing seeds for herbs such as basil, parsley, and thyme indoors.
  • Vegetables: Start cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli indoors.

• Clean and organize your gardening tools and equipment.
• Review garden plans and seed catalogs, and place your orders early.
• Consider setting up a grow light system to enhance indoor seed starting.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: February Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Vegetables: Start seeds for cool-season crops like cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts indoors.
  • Edible Flowers: Begin sowing pansies and violas indoors.
• Outdoors:
  • Wildflowers: If the ground isn’t frozen, you can scatter wildflower seeds for cold stratification.

• Test soil pH and amend your soil as needed.
• Plan your garden beds and consider crop rotation for healthy soil.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: March Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Warm-season Vegetables: Start seeds for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors.
• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Once the soil is workable, direct sow cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and radishes.
  • Herbs: Plant hardy herbs like chives and thyme directly in the garden.

• Prepare garden beds by adding compost and other organic matter.
• Set up trellises and other supports for climbing plants.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: April Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Transplant cool-season crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale, and direct sow root crops like beets and carrots.
  • Wildflowers: Plant seeds for sunflowers, zinnias, and other hardy wildflowers.
  • Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors or in protected outdoor spaces.

• Mulch around seedlings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Keep an eye on late frosts and protect young plants with covers if necessary.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: May Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans after the last frost date.
  • Herbs: Transplant herbs like basil, rosemary, and oregano outdoors.
  • Edible Flowers: Sow marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula to add color and functionality to the garden.

• Mulch garden beds to conserve moisture and prevent weed growth.
• Install supports for vining plants like peas and beans.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: June Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Direct sow heat-loving crops like corn, zucchini, and pumpkins.
  • Herbs: Continue planting herbs like dill, cilantro, and mint.
  • Microgreens: Sow microgreens outdoors or in containers for a quick harvest.

• Water your garden regularly, especially during dry periods.
• Fertilize plants as they start to grow rapidly.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: July Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Begin planting late-season crops like carrots, beets, and fall-harvest kale.
  • Herbs: Sow heat-tolerant herbs like basil and thyme.
  • Edible Flowers: Plant late-blooming flowers like nasturtiums and marigolds.

• Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
• Mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: August Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Sow seeds for fall crops like spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
  • Herbs: Plant cool-season herbs like parsley and cilantro.
  • Wildflowers: Scatter seeds for wildflowers that will bloom next spring.

• Continue watering and mulching to protect plants during hot weather.
• Prepare garden beds for fall planting by adding compost and other organic matter.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: September Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant hardy greens like kale, spinach, and Swiss chard for a fall harvest.
  • Herbs: Sow hardy herbs like garlic, chives, and sage.
  • Edible Flowers: Plant pansies and violas for fall color and edible garnishes.

• Harvest late-season vegetables and prepare them for storage.
• Begin cleaning up garden beds and composting plant debris.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: October Planting Calendar

• Outdoors:
  • Vegetables: Plant garlic, onions, and shallots for overwintering.
  • Wildflowers: Sow wildflower seeds that will benefit from winter stratification.
  • Herbs: Transplant tender herbs into containers for indoor growing.

• Mulch garden beds heavily to protect plants from frost.
• Clean and store garden tools and equipment for the winter.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: November Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Microgreens: Start growing microgreens indoors for fresh greens throughout the winter.
  • Herbs: Grow herbs like parsley, mint, and chives indoors for winter cooking.

• Protect tender plants with frost covers or move them indoors.
• Reflect on the past gardening season and start planning for next year.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3: December Planting Calendar

• Indoors:
  • Microgreens: Continue growing microgreens indoors for fresh, nutritious greens.
  • Herbs: Maintain indoor herb gardens with basil, rosemary, and thyme.

• Clean and store garden tools and equipment.
• Start planning next year's garden, considering new varieties and layout changes.